Never forget....

Remember your first day as an EMT? That first time you put on that uniform that made you feel like something amazing. A part of something bigger. Remember the pride you felt walking into the bay, seeing the ambulance you were soon to be riding on? Remember the fear? Remember feeling anxious? You were about to enter a new world, a world that is unpredictable, and possibly dangerous. You were afraid that you didn't know enough, that you wouldn't be able to put what you learned to use. You hoped that when you began working, that your fears would calm, and you would finally be able to make a difference in someone's life. You would finally get to be there when someone needs help. Now, imagine how you would feel if all of those thoughts and feelings were squashed in an instant, all because someone "Hates new people."

I can not tell you how often I hear EMTs whine and complain about the new people. I have even seen an EMT of 6 months complain about the new kid on the block. Really? Now, complaining is one thing but some of these adult sized babies even go as far as plotting ways to make a new EMT's first days on the job miserable. Have you forgotten the fact that you were new once? Have you forgotten at some point you were the fumbling idiot of a new person who didn't know how to operate the stretcher, and didn't know how to properly use a stair chair. Do you remember being unsteady when it came to taking vital signs? We at some point were all in those shoes, and while we walked in them we looked to those with experience for guidance. I have watched new EMTs get chased out of a company because they were "stupid." Now here is the better question, did anyone take the time to properly teach them? How can one be so asinine to the point of driving out new blood, or breaking them down to the point of no return. Some give up and leave, others take the crap, find their groove, and become an amazing asset to the EMS team. My thing is, someone took the time to teach me, why not in return pass on the knowledge to someone just entering into the field. You appreciated the wisdom of others, give them the chance to appreciate you.

Lately it seems that EMT-B programs focus on how to get their students to pass the required tests. These students bust their butts to memorize sequences of rehearsed lines for practicals, and try to retain the information required for the written test. Not much time is spent on listening to lung sounds, taking a manual blood pressure, or even how to operate every day equipment that sits on an ambulance that is NOT part of the state practical tests. EMTs are coming out of school moderately unprepared. Is this their fault? Absolutely not. Did they ask to be taught the bare minimum to receive the "YAY YOU PASSED" certification? No. Absolutely not. What does this mean for you, as experienced providers? It means that you have to work a little bit harder to transform this "Testing-robot" into a respectable knowledgeable provider. Now, how do you do  that? You take the time to show them the ropes, and be prepared to have to show them more than once. It takes time to learn properly, getting the hang of things isn't an instant happening. Also, never fault someone for a "stupid question." Really, there are no dumb questions, and if someone is asking them, it is because they WANT TO learn! Why deny them that opportunity, even if the question is "Are the blue needles for boys and the pink ones for girls?" It may sound silly to you, because you KNOW the gauge sizes, but for someone who was never taught, how the heck are they supposed to know? Be respectful of their questions, chances are you probably asked quite a few "dumb ones" in your day.

This job is a field of flowers, that never stops blooming. As new providers come in, the old providers are withering away, along with their knowledge. If we don't pass on what we know, our tricks, and our advice, it will all be lost. A lot of the tasks I successfully perform daily are a wide mix of tactics utilized by the many providers I have worked with other the years. I learned what works well for me, as well as what works well for others. And some day, a new person will teach me a different way that works just as well. We never stop learning. Ever.

The point of this post is to point out that we as older providers tend to lose sight of the fact that at one point, we were in those shaky brand new boots. If you don't provide a learning environment, the person you are shunning may some day become an untrustworthy partner to you. At that point, the only person to blame will be yourself. New EMS providers are impressionable. Use that to mold them into something great!

Stay humble my friends, and NEVER forget where you came from.

RU-Responders Unite